The Impact of Boundary Conditions on Surface Curvature Measurements of Polypropylene Mesh in Response to Uniaxial Loading

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is defined as the descent of the pelvic organs into the vaginal canal. POP is a widespread condition among women, with a 7% lifetime risk for a single operation1. For surgical treatment, polypropylene mesh is often implanted to restore support to the pelvic organs. However, up to 20% of those who undergo surgery with mesh will require repeat operations for recurrent symptoms or complications2. One of the most common complications is mesh erosion3. Erosion is characterized by degeneration of the native vaginal tissue in contact with the mesh, resulting in the mesh migrating through the vagina. Though the cause of mesh erosion is undefined, surgeons have described this complication by the appearance of mesh “contraction”, “buckling”, “wrinkling”, and/or “bunching”. Some have even described this as an “accordion effect”.Copyright © 2013 by ASME